Sydney's Sam Naismith's horror run with injuries has continued with the Swans confirming the ruckman's season is likely over after another ruptured ACL.
Naismith suffered the injury during the final quarter of Sydney's 28-point loss to the Western Bulldogs, reinjuring the same knee that kept him sidelined during the 2018 season.
Sydney's executive general manager Charlie Gardiner confirmed the club was in shock, with Naismith due for surgery in the coming weeks.
“It is terrible news for Sam and really disappointing for the team,” Gardiner said in a club statement.
MORE: AFL confirms round six and seven fixtures
“He will see a surgeon next week and we will then lay out next steps from there.
“Our thoughts are with Sam at the moment and we will wrap our arms around him as he gets on with his recovery.”
The scans confirmed what was already feared by Swans coach John Longmire for his chief ruckman after his side's second loss of the season.
Playing just his 30th AFL game having missed the entirety of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Naismith's latest setback was a cruel one given the form he'd shown since returning at the start of the season.
Longmire: He’s missed 2 years of footy, plays Round 1, had the break, lost his sister during the break and then comes back and does his knee.
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) June 25, 2020
Naismith was also dealing with the loss of his sister Kristi to cancer during the break, with the club wearing two black armbands to honour his loss along with the passing of Josh Kennedy’s grandfather John Kennedy Snr
The traumatic run left Longmire speechless, who reinforced the importance of the club standing by the ruckman during the difficult time.
“He lost his sister through that (shutdown) break and then he comes back and does his knee. It‘s a terrible run for him,” Longmire explained post-match.
“Nothing you can say. You’ve just got to be there sometimes.
“We‘re going to need some time to digest it. We’ve got to be with him and look after him because he’s had a terrible run. In a number of ways.”